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#284: Anthem of the Sun by the Grateful Dead

1.23.2012

Anthem of the Sun by the Grateful Dead (1968)

Favorite Track(s): "Born Cross-Eyed" and parts of "Alligator"?

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) This is my first time with the Dead! I grew up seeing the little rainbow bears on every other car in Oregon. :) I know my dad likes them, but I'm totally--as far as I know--unfamiliar with them. I know Jerry Garcia was a fat bearded man who wore tie-dye, and that he has ice cream named after him. And I completely struggled with this post's title, because I really want to call them the Grateful Dead instead of just 'Anthem of the Sun by Grateful Dead.' That feels wrong. So forgive me if you feel strongly about the matter.

(Post-Listening) Hmm. Well, I didn't hate it by any means, but it was so all over the place (partly due to the mixing I'm led to believe) I couldn't really settle in any of the songs. Which was maybe their intention? But I prefer my musical 'chaos' a bit more ordered than this. "Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)" especially was just...a mess. And not a fun one like a food fight. I mean, can completely sober people enjoy this music on a regular basis? If so, power to you.

The good news is they will for sure turn up again on this list, so I'll have more chances to try them out.